So, I should preface this by saying that I have never actually used a leash with my daughter. But, that is only because we never really had to at this point. But, if we need to use a leash once number 2 comes around I will 100% use a leash with zero hesitation and with all future children as well, since we hope to have a couple more. Kids like to run. It is healthy for them to be able to walk around and explore a little. So, why would I keep them in a stroller, if I don't have to? I mean, I have definitely used a stroller. But, I more often was a babywearer/toddlerwearer and then let her run, when it was safe. I just never understand why someone would be against them. Spoiler: toddlers don't actually listen to you, most of the time.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Just to clarify, I never meant for this to become a discussion about whether or not a baby "leash" is appropriate or not. It's just my opinion. And that's not to say my opinion won't change if DS suddenly starts running away from me.
Just to clarify because I didn't mean for this to turn into a debate of any kind.
It's ok, nothing wrong with a debate. I was just sharing my opinion. I would hate for someone else to feel bad because they put their child on a leash to keep them safe.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
I haven't even started thinking about buying anything. But now that we are on topic, I'm thinking of getting a co-sleeper or something like that. We really should have had it with our daughter because that kid NEVER slept. Also, we had mice in the basement and they got into some of baby things including the baby carrier. I know it can all be washed and I did but some pieces don't completely come off so it's not like I can get it in the washer. So I'm considering getting a new seat/stroller. Other than that, we'll wait and see if it's a boy or a girl and we'll go from there.
schef070911 Something I will definitely be doing is setting up an Amazon wish list and sending the link to mom's I know. I'm going to ask them to take a few minutes and add some things they absolutely could not live without to the wish list to help me see what they trust and used. That way they can show me brands, I can see whats popular, and maybe weed out somethings I've been told are necessary but maybe are not. Then when I'm ready I can sort through and see what I like and adjust from there.
Hoping this will help because as of right now I'm still terrified of Babies-r-us
As a third time mom, some things that were really helpful were:
--having a rock-n-play for my baby that had reflux (we borrowed from a friend) --being aware of the size of the carseat that you plan to buy. We bought too big and now regret it because it's too heavy to carry around. --having a backpack to use as a diaper bag when we go to the zoo, etc. Because it makes it easier to chase little ones and some of the displays cannot have strollers and you don't want to leave your stuff in the stroller! --we love our City Select but I can see the value in a side by side stroller. Test them out before purchasing! --you may go through many types of swaddlers but I love the Adan+Anais swaddling blankets because they doubled as light blankets for the summer.
I really appreciate all the advice on the registry stuff everyone! I tried to do a little Internet research yesterday and between that and all of you it seems (slightly) less daunting.
Bought one thing because I had a coupon and it always seems to go out of stock in 'vanilla' - keekaroo peanut changing pad. Excited not to change diaper pad sheets this time around.
Being a person who was opposed to harnesses- Having two 2 year olds who run opposite directions always will totally change your opinion. I have not used one yet bc usually my husband is with me bc I'm not often out alone with all 3, and I put the twins in a stroller if I am. But I am definietly not Above it any longer.
I am a STM, so the only thing I may need is clothes and diapers. I will wait for the ultra sound to buy the clothes and stock up on diapers when there are deals.
My advice is to buy the crib, car seat and stroller new ( stroller can be gently used). The rest of the stuff try to get hand-me downs ( free), borrow, or buy second hand. My lesson learned is that most baby stuff is used for such a short time and I wish I wouldn't have spent so much money.
Also, every one has such different lifestyles and so their baby needs are completely different. You really have to look for products that match the realistic lifestyle you live. I really wanted one of those bassinet strollers but realized it would never be used with a Dec baby, we got a BOB Rev and loved it in on the snowy sidewalks but it is so heavy we ended up getting a cheap umbrella stroller for travel too.
My must have recommendations: Some sort of co-sleeper or bassinet ( we got the fisher price Rock N Play bassinet but I really wanted the halo one). This will save you so much sleep in the first few weeks. Halo sacks in small and Medium Carrier ( I used a Moby and Ergo) A musical mobile or sound machine Comfortable rocking chair (you will live it in for the first few months!)
@hollieandaaron2012, YES YES YES to the comfortable rocker/glider. I lived in my glider for the first weeks/months. Wish it had been just a bit comfier to close my eyes. DS is now almost 15 months and we still glide before every nap and bedtime while we read a story. Best purchase!
One thing I wish I would have done is not bought the second car seat base (60-80 dollars) and instead put that money towards a convertible car seat for the other car. If you are constantly switching vehicles you drive then the second base makes sense but if one car will only occasionally be used by baby then buy a convertible car seat, you will need it in a year anyway.
We are going back and forth on whether we will need a double stroller. Any one with 2 kids have any thoughts? DS will be close to 3 when baby is here. That's the biggest thing we have to figure out if we are buying this time around - assuming little one is a boy of course. Otherwise I'm sure I'll feel the urge to get here a few pink things here and there.
@hollieandaaron2012 And also you don't even need the base with infant seats. My SIL is always needing to put my nephew in her car and our car multiple times a week. She only has a base in her car, but just uses the seat belt in our car and it works just as good. She didn't even know she could do that until I explained it to her.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
I couldn't resist. I bought a book today for DS called "I Am A Big Brother". I think we will use it as a reveal for the grandparents by asking them to read him a story and then getting him to give it to them. That is if he'll cooperate (haha)
STM here - The first time around, I was really surprised at what was we actually used and what we didn't. Barely used things that I thought we absolutely had. to. have: *Crib. Yes, the crib! Crazy, huh? But, I can probably count on one hand the number of times DS actually slept in it. He slept in my arms; he co-slept (though before he was born, I didn't plan to co-sleep); he slept in the rock-n-play, he slept in the pack-n-play. Although honestly, he was just awake. Then at 9 months he started climbing, so we gave up on the crib entirely. I gave it to my brother when his boy was born (1.5 years old) and unless they insist on returning it, April Baby will have a pack-n-play with bassinet, and we will bypass the crib attempts from the start. *Moby Wrap. I loved the idea, but getting tangled and trapped in those endless yards of hot black fabric just made me and baby frustrated and cranky. (After a couple months, I got a Mei Tai style wrap, which was perfect until he finally outgrew it.
Over the passed couple years, we've given away a lot of the baby stuff, so as this pregnancy progresses, we'll see what hand-me-downs come rolling back & what we end up purchasing.
Things we really did use, even though I thought them ridiculous before hand: *Baby swing & other baby containing/entertaining contraptions: Pre-baby thoughts - "I can hold and wear and love my baby whenever he needs & don't need all these numerous mechanical over-stimulating things to entertain him. If he is sleeping or a I need to put him down a bit, he can go in the crib" - Post-baby - "I need to cook/eat/fold laundry/pee/just-not-hold-the baby for a minute. He never sleeps. Cries like a banshee in the boring prison of the crib when awake. But loves the swing! Swing, watch the fishy mobile and be happy baby!" *Glass bottles: I was so specific about them being glass. But, whenever he drank from a bottle it was pumped milk. Plastic bottles were what attached to the pump. Why on earth dirty another bottle just because it's glass? Also as he got a little older - if you throw a glass bottle, it breaks. Like glass is wont to do. *Too much clothing: More clothes, more allowable time between laundry sessions. *Too many blankets: I scoffed terribly at the plethora of baby blankets we were given. How can a baby need so many and such a variety of cloth squares? (The answer was always "Oh blankets are useful" "There good to have" "You'll use them"). It's true. I still don't fully understand it, but babies need plenty of blankets around. They just do. *Crazy amounts of diapers
An absolute must before coming home from the hospital is an electric breast pump (if you plan to breastfeed). You can usually get a free one through your insurance provider, but sometimes that can take several weeks, so plan ahead and try to get it before your due date.
Chances are your baby will latch fine and you won't need it. But, sometimes it takes babies a while to get the hang of it. My son and I had so many issues getting started breastfeeding...he fought the breast, so the LC suggested pumping and then feeding him through a syringe. The first night home was kind of a nightmare bc he was hungry and crying (and still fighting the breast), and I was frantically trying to pump out anything I could using a little hand pump, one breast at a time. It was so stressful and the double electric pump would have been a lifesaver in those moments before we got the hang of breastfeeding.
Again, this will most likely not be your experience, but I think being prepared is never a bad thing.
I haven't bought anything yet, but we plan to purchase something large every month leading up to the due date. We aren't starting that until at least wk 9, maybe week 12 (pgal) We are also going to buy a pack of diapers/wipes every week.
I also have a bunch of books that in going to start reading.. expecting better, what to expect when you're expecting.. etc.
I'll look at previous posts as well, so don't answer if this has been answered already. I've been able to find good baby books for my DH but no good books about the actual pregnancy. They're all sarcastic and stupid. He's curious about what's happening. I mean he could read some of mine but books geared towards dad would be awesome.
@SDSwenson I can't help you out with the pregnancy books. DH mostly just listened to me reading from What to Expect the first time around. But, as a doula I always recommend the book "The Dad's Playbook to Labor and Birth" for the birth part. I found it really helpful and DH did as well. It is a pretty easy read and has all the important info in it.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
and sort of contrary to @bwo I always recommend a manual hand pump. My boobs didn't work very well with electric pumps. It was very frustrating for the first few weeks and then for some reason I went and got a manual pump and tried it and got like double the milk. I can't explain why, it just worked for me. So, I think I used the nice double electric pump like 5 times after that, but used the manual pump for 20 months of breastfeeding and pumping. And it hurt me less.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
STM not buying anything yet, but will probably stock up around Thanksgiving to take advantage of the big sales! We are so lucky with April babies, that we can take advantage of Holiday sales! We'll be buying new nursery furniture (crib, dresser). We are debating moving DS1's rocker to the LO's room and getting a chair and a half for his room, vs. adding another rocker. I could not live without our: 1. MamaRoo 2. Infant seat (+stroller +seat bases to clip into) 3. Wipe warmer (i know, right? seriously? I didn't even have one until after he arrived but it made changes so much better) 4. Tons of burp cloths 5. Practical clothing. This was cotton sleepers with zippers and onsies for us. 6. I'm going to second the double electric breastpump, and the hands free bustier. No way I could have pumped at work without them.
@sdswenson I bought DH "the expectant father" by Armin Brott. It seems pretty decent--I too didn't want a dude-bro-dad book that made men seem like idiots. I wouldn't have chosen to have a baby with an idiot so why buy a books that pretty much tells him he's a bumbling fool?
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
I bought pregnancy tests...and I'll probably get some food I like soon. Haha! Seriously though, I went CRAZY shopping before DD1, semi crazy before DS, and just meh for DD2. I'm fairly sure this time I'll hope to have the right size diapers and a car seat
Formerly ChoicesMom "Squishy" 2007 "Lyric" EDD Nov/4/11 - c/p Feb/11 "Fishy" 2012 "Bean" 2014 "Lux" EDD Apr/21/17 - c/p Aug/16 "Kokonah" EDD May/24/17 - m/c Oct/16 1 surprise - 1 Noonie - 1 preemie - 3 gone but not forgotten - One more on the way!! Grab bag of mental health disorders Pancolitis
Has anyone bought a doppler to hear the heart rate? I'd like one and a friend who has the same antibody as me said when she had a consult with a maternal fetal they said she'd need to listen to baby's heart rate every day or something (I'll start seeing maternal fetal at 16 weeks and go every two weeks to make sure the baby doesn't develop heartblock which can cause the baby to need a pacemaker. I think they do stress or non-stress tests or ultra sounds?)
I'm not looking for anything fancy, I believe my sister/sister-in-laws bought them for $50-$75 and it can be tough to figure out at first (& might need to to wait until 2nd trimester to hear because it's not a super-duper hospital/doctor grade one). They do not have them anymore (& we have not told anyone yet)
I ended up getting The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be. Partner's read up to the second trimester and was pretty satisfied with it - there were only two questions he still had, which I'm not surprised weren't covered by the book (but I was able to answer). He skipped over the not-applicable things (in our case this time around, multiples, IF, and adoption, but kudos to the author for including that)
I ended up getting The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be. Partner's read up to the second trimester and was pretty satisfied with it - there were only two questions he still had, which I'm not surprised weren't covered by the book (but I was able to answer). He skipped over the not-applicable things (in our case this time around, multiples, IF, and adoption, but kudos to the author for including that)
Awesome... That's the one that I currently have saved in my Amazon cart! Thanks
I remember many moms on my first board recommended Lucies list and the Baby Bargains list once you start looking at gear/stuff. I really liked the book.
Has anyone bought a doppler to hear the heart rate? I'd like one and a friend who has the same antibody as me said when she had a consult with a maternal fetal they said she'd need to listen to baby's heart rate every day or something (I'll start seeing maternal fetal at 16 weeks and go every two weeks to make sure the baby doesn't develop heartblock which can cause the baby to need a pacemaker. I think they do stress or non-stress tests or ultra sounds?)
I'm not looking for anything fancy, I believe my sister/sister-in-laws bought them for $50-$75 and it can be tough to figure out at first (& might need to to wait until 2nd trimester to hear because it's not a super-duper hospital/doctor grade one). They do not have them anymore (& we have not told anyone yet)
If you need one for a legit medical reason I'd check to see if your insurance covers one before buying one. Otherwise I usually recommend not getting one because they are tricky and can cause more anxiety than they are worth.
Re: Things To Buy/Things You've Bought
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Just to clarify because I didn't mean for this to turn into a debate of any kind.
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
And I totally see a toddler leash in our near future.
Hoping this will help because as of right now I'm still terrified of Babies-r-us
--having a rock-n-play for my baby that had reflux (we borrowed from a friend)
--being aware of the size of the carseat that you plan to buy. We bought too big and now regret it because it's too heavy to carry around.
--having a backpack to use as a diaper bag when we go to the zoo, etc. Because it makes it easier to chase little ones and some of the displays cannot have strollers and you don't want to leave your stuff in the stroller!
--we love our City Select but I can see the value in a side by side stroller. Test them out before purchasing!
--you may go through many types of swaddlers but I love the Adan+Anais swaddling blankets because they doubled as light blankets for the summer.
definietly not Above it any longer.
My advice is to buy the crib, car seat and stroller new ( stroller can be gently used). The rest of the stuff try to get hand-me downs ( free), borrow, or buy second hand. My lesson learned is that most baby stuff is used for such a short time and I wish I wouldn't have spent so much money.
Also, every one has such different lifestyles and so their baby needs are completely different. You really have to look for products that match the realistic lifestyle you live. I really wanted one of those bassinet strollers but realized it would never be used with a Dec baby, we got a BOB Rev and loved it in on the snowy sidewalks but it is so heavy we ended up getting a cheap umbrella stroller for travel too.
My must have recommendations:
Some sort of co-sleeper or bassinet ( we got the fisher price Rock N Play bassinet but I really wanted the halo one). This will save you so much sleep in the first few weeks.
Halo sacks in small and Medium
Carrier ( I used a Moby and Ergo)
A musical mobile or sound machine
Comfortable rocking chair (you will live it in for the first few months!)
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
The first time around, I was really surprised at what was we actually used and what we didn't.
Barely used things that I thought we absolutely had. to. have:
*Crib. Yes, the crib! Crazy, huh? But, I can probably count on one hand the number of times DS actually slept in it. He slept in my arms; he co-slept (though before he was born, I didn't plan to co-sleep); he slept in the rock-n-play, he slept in the pack-n-play. Although honestly, he was just awake. Then at 9 months he started climbing, so we gave up on the crib entirely. I gave it to my brother when his boy was born (1.5 years old) and unless they insist on returning it, April Baby will have a pack-n-play with bassinet, and we will bypass the crib attempts from the start.
*Moby Wrap. I loved the idea, but getting tangled and trapped in those endless yards of hot black fabric just made me and baby frustrated and cranky. (After a couple months, I got a Mei Tai style wrap, which was perfect until he finally outgrew it.
Over the passed couple years, we've given away a lot of the baby stuff, so as this pregnancy progresses, we'll see what hand-me-downs come rolling back & what we end up purchasing.
Things we really did use, even though I thought them ridiculous before hand:
*Baby swing & other baby containing/entertaining contraptions: Pre-baby thoughts - "I can hold and wear and love my baby whenever he needs & don't need all these numerous mechanical over-stimulating things to entertain him. If he is sleeping or a I need to put him down a bit, he can go in the crib" - Post-baby - "I need to cook/eat/fold laundry/pee/just-not-hold-the baby for a minute. He never sleeps. Cries like a banshee in the boring prison of the crib when awake. But loves the swing! Swing, watch the fishy mobile and be happy baby!"
*Glass bottles: I was so specific about them being glass. But, whenever he drank from a bottle it was pumped milk. Plastic bottles were what attached to the pump. Why on earth dirty another bottle just because it's glass? Also as he got a little older - if you throw a glass bottle, it breaks. Like glass is wont to do.
*Too much clothing: More clothes, more allowable time between laundry sessions.
*Too many blankets: I scoffed terribly at the plethora of baby blankets we were given. How can a baby need so many and such a variety of cloth squares? (The answer was always "Oh blankets are useful" "There good to have" "You'll use them"). It's true. I still don't fully understand it, but babies need plenty of blankets around. They just do.
*Crazy amounts of diapers
Chances are your baby will latch fine and you won't need it. But, sometimes it takes babies a while to get the hang of it. My son and I had so many issues getting started breastfeeding...he fought the breast, so the LC suggested pumping and then feeding him through a syringe. The first night home was kind of a nightmare bc he was hungry and crying (and still fighting the breast), and I was frantically trying to pump out anything I could using a little hand pump, one breast at a time. It was so stressful and the double electric pump would have been a lifesaver in those moments before we got the hang of breastfeeding.
Again, this will most likely not be your experience, but I think being prepared is never a bad thing.
DS: 10-9-14
MC: 9-4-16
I also have a bunch of books that in going to start reading.. expecting better, what to expect when you're expecting.. etc.
I'll look at previous posts as well, so don't answer if this has been answered already. I've been able to find good baby books for my DH but no good books about the actual pregnancy. They're all sarcastic and stupid. He's curious about what's happening. I mean he could read some of mine but books geared towards dad would be awesome.
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
1. MamaRoo
2. Infant seat (+stroller +seat bases to clip into)
3. Wipe warmer (i know, right? seriously? I didn't even have one until after he arrived but it made changes so much better)
4. Tons of burp cloths
5. Practical clothing. This was cotton sleepers with zippers and onsies for us.
6. I'm going to second the double electric breastpump, and the hands free bustier. No way I could have pumped at work without them.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Formerly ChoicesMom
"Squishy" 2007
"Lyric" EDD Nov/4/11 - c/p Feb/11
"Fishy" 2012
"Bean" 2014
"Lux" EDD Apr/21/17 - c/p Aug/16
"Kokonah" EDD May/24/17 - m/c Oct/16
1 surprise - 1 Noonie - 1 preemie - 3 gone but not forgotten - One more on the way!!
Grab bag of mental health disorders
Pancolitis
I'm not looking for anything fancy, I believe my sister/sister-in-laws bought them for $50-$75 and it can be tough to figure out at first (& might need to to wait until 2nd trimester to hear because it's not a super-duper hospital/doctor grade one). They do not have them anymore (& we have not told anyone yet)
I ended up getting The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be. Partner's read up to the second trimester and was pretty satisfied with it - there were only two questions he still had, which I'm not surprised weren't covered by the book (but I was able to answer). He skipped over the not-applicable things (in our case this time around, multiples, IF, and adoption, but kudos to the author for including that)
Me: 28 & Partner: 32 | Married 2014
BFP 7/29 EDD 4/11
Awesome... That's the one that I currently have saved in my Amazon cart! Thanks
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022